How Long Should Businesses Keep Security Camera Footage?

Businesses are constantly dealing with a variety of security concerns. One of the most important aspects of security is keeping track of footage from security cameras.

How long should businesses keep security camera footage? That depends on the business' storage capacity and other factors. In this article, we will explore some of those factors and help business owners make the best decision for their companies.

How long should businesses keep their security camera footage?

Security camera footage is important for a variety of reasons. It can help business owners keep track of what is going on in their company, ensure the safety of employees and customers and provide evidence for chain of custody.

Most businesses keep security footage for a set amount of time, but there are a few things to consider when making that decision.

Storage capacity

The first factor to consider is storage capacity. How much space do you have to store security footage? If you don't have enough space to keep all the footage from the last year, then you will need to delete some older clips.

However, it's important to keep in mind that deleting older footage might make it harder to find evidence if something happens. So, you’ll need to find a balance between storage space and the length of time you keep the footage.

The type of business

Another factor to consider is the type of business you have. If you run a daycare, for example, you might want to keep footage for a longer period of time than if you run a retail store.

This is because there are different security concerns for each type of business. Daycares, for example, need to worry about things like abduction and abuse. Retail stores need to worry about things like theft and shoplifting.

You’ll also need to take into account any laws or regulations that apply to your business. For example, hospitals are required by law to keep certain types of footage for a certain amount of time.

How is security camera footage stored?

Security camera footage is typically stored on a digital video recorder (DVR). This is a device that records video and stores it on a hard drive.

The length of time that the footage is stored depends on the capacity of the DVR. For example, a DVR with 500GB of storage can hold about two weeks' worth of footage from four cameras.

Businesses can also store their security footage in the cloud. Cloud storage is a great option for businesses that don't have a lot of space to store their footage or that need to keep their footage for a long period of time.

The downsides of cloud storage are that it can be more expensive than other options, and you will need to have an internet connection to access the footage.

What is the best option for your business?

The best option for your business will depend on a variety of factors, including storage capacity, type of business and any laws or regulations that apply.

Business owners should consult with a security expert to figure out what is the best option for their company.

Keep in mind that deleting older footage might make it harder to find evidence if something happens. So, you’ll need to find a balance between storage space and the length of time you keep the footage.

Another factor to consider is the type of business you have. If you run a daycare, for example, you might want to keep footage for a longer period of time than if you run a retail store.

What happens to old security camera footage?

When businesses delete old security footage, they typically erase it from their DVR or cloud storage. However, it's important to keep in mind that once the footage is erased, it's gone forever.

So, if you need to keep your footage for a long period of time, make sure you have enough storage space. And if you're not sure how long you need to keep your footage, err on the side of caution and keep it for a longer period of time.

Businesses should consult with a security expert to figure out what is the best option for their company. This will ensure that they are making the best decision for their business and their customers.

How much storage capacity do you need?

If you want to keep security footage for a long time, storage capacity is key. If you don't have enough space to keep all the footage from the last year, then you’ll need to delete some older clips.

However, it's important to keep in mind that deleting older footage might make it harder to find evidence if something happens. So, you will need to find a balance between storage space and the length of time you keep the footage.

The next thing business owners need to consider is how much storage capacity they need. This will depend on a variety of factors, including the number of cameras and how long they want to keep their footage.

Businesses can store their security footage on a DVR or in the cloud. A DVR typically has a storage capacity of 500GB to 2000GB, while cloud storage can have a storage capacity of up to 100TB.